Scotland reps to discuss strategy against cuts

11 December 2008

NUJ reps from across the news media in Scotland are meeting today to discuss how best to coordinate a campaign against cutbacks across the industry. The meeting in Glasgow will bring together key union figures from the local and national Scottish press.

NUJ members in Scotland have been hit by the announcement of cuts at a host of outlets over the last few months.

Newsquest has told all journalists at the Herald, Sunday Herald and Evening Times that they are at risk of redundancy and need to reapply for their jobs under a new editorial structure. The move by the American-owned company has drawn swift political condemnation, including criticism from Alex Salmond, Scotland's First Minister.

Most recently, BBC Scotland has announced plans for further job cuts as part of the Creative Futures initiative, through which the corporation is looking to make significant budget cuts.

This all comes on top of big cuts across the regional press, in Scotland and beyond.

Paul Holleran, NUJ Scottish organiser, says the reps will look at all the tools at their disposal to stand up for their members:

"We'll be looking at all forms of possible action: legal, industrial and political. Employers are looking to make big cuts at papers and broadcasters that already facing unsustainably low levels of staffing. These latest cuts will only exacerbate what are already dangerous levels of work related stress."